The short answer: Chamath Palihapitiya says bitcoin is going to zero. On the Moonshots podcast, he called it "capped" and predicted it eventually gets hacked. On The Pomp Podcast, macro investor Jordi Visser called the bitcoin-going-to-zero claim a joke. He argues quantum computing is a hardware problem with years of runway, while the real near-term risk is AI-driven hacking of everyday software.
From The Pomp Podcast, hosted by Anthony Pompliano, with guest Jordi Visser, veteran macro investor and author of the VisserLabs Substack. Episode released October 24, 2026.
Chamath says bitcoin is going to zero, and the internet noticed. The billionaire investor's comments spread fast, and Jordi Visser says some of his own subscribers were rattled by them. So on the October 24 episode of The Pomp Podcast, host Anthony Pompliano asked Visser, a macro investor with more than 30 years of experience, to walk through the argument and tell investors whether it holds up.
What did Chamath say about bitcoin going to zero?
Start with the primary source. Palihapitiya was speaking on Peter Diamandis' Moonshots podcast. As reported by Benzinga, he said: "I just think it's capped, and then I think eventually it gets hacked, and then it goes to zero."
According to Benzinga's and CCN's write-ups of the interview, his reasoning had three parts:
A limited buyer pool. He argued central banks can't easily adopt bitcoin, which caps demand.
Privacy and security. He cited France, where he said disclosure of crypto holdings was followed by kidnappings.
AI and quantum hacking. He described a hypothetical attacker using advanced AI to crack Satoshi Nakamoto's coins, then shorting bitcoin and announcing the hack. He also called a coordinated migration to quantum-resistant cryptography "basically impossible."
Palihapitiya also said he no longer holds crypto directly and has exposure through Digital Currency Group, per the same reports.
Is bitcoin really going to zero, according to Jordi Visser?
No. Visser was direct on the show: "I'm not worried." He studied the quantum question back in 2020, before he made bitcoin a big part of his own net worth, and he reached a different conclusion than Palihapitiya.
His core argument: "quantum is a hardware issue." A computer capable of breaking bitcoin's cryptography has to actually be built. Visser relayed cryptographer Adam Back's view that this could be 20 to 40 years away, and noted others say 5 to 7 years. Either way, he believes the network will have time to respond. (Those timelines are Visser's paraphrase of other people's estimates, so check them against the original sources.)
Visser also argued the immediate danger is being mislabeled. What's actually happening today, he said, is AI-powered hacking of ordinary software: agents testing reused passwords and weak systems, including at banks. That's a cybersecurity problem the entire financial system shares, not a bitcoin-specific flaw.
For a deeper look at the technology, see our explainer: Is quantum computing a threat to bitcoin?
Can the bitcoin community coordinate a quantum upgrade?
This is the most serious part of Palihapitiya's critique, and Visser doesn't wave it away. He agrees the community has to come together. His counterpoint is that crises speed up crisis management. When a threat becomes real, decentralized groups find a way to act.
He also sees new allies. As banks move onto crypto rails, he argues, they gain a direct financial interest in bitcoin's security, which brings more money and engineering talent to the problem. Developers have already put forward a draft proposal, BIP-360, aimed at quantum-resistant outputs. It's early, but the work is underway.
One technical note: Palihapitiya's example referenced breaking SHA-256. The main quantum concern discussed by bitcoin developers is the elliptic curve signatures that secure coins, which is what BIP-360 targets.
Why did Chamath's comment hit so hard?
Visser had a pointed take on the messenger. He described Palihapitiya as "a podcast person" whose takes travel because they're provocative, and said Palihapitiya doesn't have the cryptography credentials to make the call. That's why Visser leans on specialists like Back.
Pomp took a different view on that point. Credentials don't bother him. Anyone can learn in public, and he'd rather engage with the argument than the résumé. Where Pomp and Visser fully agree is the bottom line: bitcoin is not going to zero, and quantum is still a real risk worth taking seriously.
Pomp framed security as a constant cat-and-mouse game between good guys and bad guys, and noted that the good guys usually have far more resources.
What should investors take from the debate?
Big names saying big things will always move headlines. The job of an investor is to separate the claim from the evidence:
Read the primary source. Palihapitiya's comments were a hypothetical scenario, not a report of an actual breach.
Separate timelines. AI-driven hacking is a today problem. Quantum is a hardware problem on a longer clock.
Watch the builders. Upgrade proposals and institutional involvement are the signals that matter.
Key takeaways
Chamath Palihapitiya said bitcoin is "capped" and will eventually be hacked and "go to zero," per Benzinga's report of his Moonshots interview.
Jordi Visser says he's "not worried" and calls quantum computing a hardware problem with time to respond.
Visser argues the near-term threat is AI-powered hacking of everyday software, which affects all of finance.
Visser concedes the community must coordinate, and argues banks on crypto rails add resources to that effort.
Anthony Pompliano agrees bitcoin isn't going to zero but says the quantum risk deserves serious attention.
Best quotes from the episode
"Chamath is a podcast person, for sure, so viral takes, especially when he's on another show, not his own show, become important to his show and his life, so I'm sure this was part of it."
"We still have seven years to prepare for this so I find the statement as completely just a joke."
"There's always a cat and mouse game between the good guys and the bad guys when it comes to technology."
FAQ
What did Chamath say about bitcoin going to zero?
On the Moonshots podcast he said bitcoin is "capped," that it "eventually gets hacked," and then "goes to zero," citing buyer limits, privacy risks and AI-driven hacking.
Does Jordi Visser think bitcoin will go to zero?
No. He says he is not worried, calls quantum a hardware issue, and believes the network has time to upgrade.
Does Chamath own bitcoin?
According to reports of the interview, he said he no longer owns crypto directly and has exposure through Digital Currency Group.
What is the biggest near-term security risk for bitcoin investors?
Visser argues it's AI-powered hacking of passwords, accounts and institutions rather than quantum computers.
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Watch or listen to the full episode
Hear Visser's full response to Chamath's bitcoin-goes-to-zero call, and where he and Pomp land on quantum risk.
"Will Bitcoin Survive Quantum Computing?" with Jordi Visser, October 24, 2026. The Chamath discussion starts around 1:01.
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Sources
Anthony Pompliano is an entrepreneur, investor, and author who serves as Chairman and CEO of Silvia, Inc (SVIA) and invests through Pomp Investments. He is the host of The Pomp Podcast, where he interviews founders, investors and economists about bitcoin, markets, AI and the economy. This article is based on his October 24, 2026 conversation with Jordi Visser, with outside facts checked against the sources listed above. Follow Pomp on X (https://x.com/APompliano).
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This article reflects the opinions of the guest and host as shared on The Pomp Podcast. It is guest opinion, not investment advice. Do your own research before making any investment decision.
